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CodeBuddy: AI C Programming Diagnostic Tutor
Problem: For engineering and computer science freshmen stepping into the university environment, learning C programming is a tough challenge. Modern interpreted programming languages provide verbose tracebacks that make the process of locating and solving errors much easier. In contrast, the output of GCC is cryptic, frustrating, and often wrongly determines the source of an issue. Even such a trivial thing like forgotten semicolon or unexpected assignment inside an if condition (e.g., if (x=1)) can generate a large volume of confusing error messages. In classical laboratory setups, it is impossible to debug programs for many students at the same time, which results in loss of precious lab time and development of ineffective debugging practices. Solution: CodeBuddy is an innovative tool created to solve the problem of disconnect between inflexible compiler messages and novice programmer's understanding. It is an interactive, intelligent diagnostic tutor based on a lightweight and responsive web interface created using Streamlit library. Students submit their erroneous code together with the compiler output. Instead of merely marking syntax issues, CodeBuddy conducts a deep semantic analysis using foundation coding models (IBM Granite, among others) to identify logic errors, undefined behavior, infinite loops, and syntax mistakes. Uniqueness and Impact: The 4 Killer Counters to "Why not ChatGPT/Gemini?"Context-Free LLMs Don't Teach; They Just Give Answers:General LLMs dump full code immediately, which leads students to mindlessly copy-paste without understanding why the compiler failed.CodeBuddy enforces a strict pedagogical 3-tier structure: Root Cause $\rightarrow$ C Language Mental Model $\rightarrow$ Commented Fix. It is designed to act like a lab mentor, not a homework-copying machine.Persistent Local Error Journal (The SQLite Engine):ChatGPT chat threads get lost in endless sidebar history with random titles.CodeBuddy logs errors specifically by Student Roll Number/Email in an organized local database. Before exams or lab evaluations, a student can review their own personalized "Mistake Notebook" to see the exact bugs they personally struggle with.Domain-Constrained Precision vs Hallucinatory Chat:General chat models often over-complicate simple first-year syntax issues with advanced modern C++ or unneeded library recommendations.CodeBuddy is strictly constrained to standard C (GCC/C99/C11) concepts taught in foundational engineering curriculums.Zero Prompt Engineering Required for Novices:A beginner doesn't know how to prompt ChatGPT: "Act as an ANSI C tutor, explain undefined behavior, don't use external libraries..."With CodeBuddy, students literally paste raw compiler garbage and broken code, press one button, and get the exact educational breakdown they need.
27 Sep 2026
